The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Merle Howard Gorder, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWO (VT-2), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against major units of the Japanese fleet west of the Mariana Islands during the first Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Flying beyond the normal combat range of his airplane, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Gorder carried out a damaging bombing attack and scored a direct hit to damage a large enemy carrier and contribute to the success of the mission. By his skill as an airman and devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Gorder upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.